About the artist
Jiang Yanxuan (蒋 涵 萱) b. 1995 Jiangsu, People’s Republic China
Artist, Filmmaker, Tutor of Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University
Holder of dual master’s degrees from the University of Oxford and the Royal College of Art. She is a member of the Partisan Social Club and a committee member of the Global Exchanges, Oxford. Award winner of the "Luo Bonian Photographer Award" at the 2024 Three Shadows Photography Award (TSPA), Silver Award at the 2023 London Film Awards, and "Best Experimental Film Award" at the 2020 Alternative Film Festival (ALTFF).
ARTIST STATEMENT: Humans navigate diverse cultural contexts, leading to decentralized, fluid lives. My art explores how we form sincere connections and understand ourselves and others in this 'post-society.' I contemplate how to poetically represent these abstract emotions and subtle sentiments in imagery. Emotional experiences, whether deep connections in intimate relationships or casual encounters in daily life, my practice challenge our understanding of traditional relationships and redefine our social boundaries and ways of interaction.
My attention is on the collision and fusion of shared and different identities and cultural concepts across individuals, as well as the role of everyday conversations in interpersonal relationships, such as interactions in intimate friendships or emotional sharing in the kitchen. Improvised conversations are always fluid and broad, covering various topics in sociology, anthropology, and philosophy. I position myself as an observer participating in these, delving into people's behaviours, communications, and dialogues, attempting to decipher the construction process of these emotional ties and authentic micro-communities. I focus on individuals and groups with whom I have real interactions in daily life, trying to truly understand others.
Using cameras, food, and poems, I facilitate dialogue and deeper relationships, linking personal emotions to broader societal themes. Trust is pivotal in my participatory imagery approach, encouraging subjects to express themselves openly in the creative process. My filming goes beyond documenting moments; it's a way to foster genuine interactions. I seek a profound understanding of belonging and happiness, using imagery to explore personal existence and relationships. Holding a 16mm camera, I embrace my role as a dream maker.
